The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1887-08-11
A Word to the Wise.
LET THE LAH0RtNG MEN LISTEN

A Word to the Wise.
LET THE LABORlNG MEN LISTEN.
Almost one hundred years ago
the Democratic party was organ
lied under the leadership of JEFF
feIson. on the basis of "The
greatest good to the greatest
number-rights to all; privileges
to none." To that faith and the
same wording Of it, the party
still stands committed and pledg-
ed. 1t is true that in quite re-
cent times the Democracy have,
seemingly, let the old cardinal
maxim fall into allegiance. by alb
staining from efforts to smash
some of the most hideous idols
sci up by the Republican party
but it must not be forgotten that
in those times the Democracy was
IN no situation TO assume the ag-
gressive to any startling degree
the people had become aceus-
toned 10 the worship of those
idols. and the tenure OF The Dem
ocratic party was yet too uncer.
tain to justify an attempt to rude
ly disturb a devotion which might
respond in indignant and disas-
ferrous protest. 1t was therefore
wise to wait until firmly seated
in the place Of power, and sure OF
time enough, not only to effect
the needed reform. but to disa-
buse the public mind of the po-
litical heresies with which Re-
publican politicians had debadch-
ed it. But the Democracy always
asserted, and never retracted the
doctrine, and through all times
and vicissitudes thro' which The
party has passed, it has steadily
adhered to those propositions, as
containing the only policy at once
consistent with the general good,
and the stability of the republic.
Hence, for sixty years the Demo
cratic party was the stern, earn
est, active and successful foe of
moneyed corporations and all
forms of monopoly.
Until the accession of the Re
publican party TO power IN 1860,
there was scarcely a moneyed
corporation of any conspicuous
magnitude in the country. or a
monopoly heavy enough 10 be
felt by the people.
How stands it nowg Moneyed
corporations of stupendous mag
nitude and power are numerous
as the hills all over the nation :
lying like huge devil fish in shall
low seas, reaching out their my
rad monster arms, robbing. plum
dering. stealing; despoiling and
crushing the working millions ;
defiant of law and confident of
power.
To a philosophical foreigner
this country now certainly pre-
sents remarkable, and perhaps,
unparalleled aspect. Teeming.
gorged and congested with an
almost incompatible abundance
of all the necessaries, and most
of the luxuries of life; feeding
the swarming millions of Europe
out of her superabundance, and
yet with millions half starving al
home; not through laziness or
drunkenness, or any other vice,
but because they can't eat unless
they buy, and can't buy without
money which cannot be earned
without work, and work not 10
be had. And because no man
will employ them and pay them
for work, they must stand in idle,
helpless strength, and starve, and
see their wives and little ones
starve and die before their eyes.
while Gods bounties lie in noun
famous abundance around them.
Is this their fate in the order of
nature. and the providence OF
God? 1t may be so, but human
nature that has ever suffered, will
not be able to believe it. What
is the reason of all thisg There
is certainly something wrong
What is it7 Where is it?
1t is caused by granting privi-
leges and monopolies to individ-
uals, syndicates and corporations,
answers the Democratic party,
and from every working man on
the continent comes the same an
swer. They are as ene there
And both agree. too, that year by
year, he distress grows severer
the suffering multitude grows
larger, the poverty more pinch
lug. the clutch of the syndicate
greedier 10 gather, and its grasp
stronger 10 hold, while want and
despair, twin demons, stalk in
midst of the hasgard multitude,
whispering that injustice invites
spoliation, and melting them TO
rise and smite and destroy.
Is this condition of things to
Iasts That Is the tendency of